Expedition of Dhat-us-Salasil
Another expedition was called Dhat-us-Salasil. The reason for its name is that out of fear, the opponents had chained themselves together so that they could fight together and so that no one could flee. It was also in order for them to fight in a single rank, or remain together in whatever formation.
We also find another meaning for this name is that there was a spring there called As-Salsal. Some are of the opinion that it took place in 8 AH, whilst others believe it was in 7 AH.
When that the Holy Prophet (sa) received news that people of the Banu Quda‘ah tribe were plotting to attack Medina, the Holy Prophet (sa) sent 300 Muhajireen and Ansar along with 30 horses, under the command of Hazrat Amr bin al-Aas (ra) to confront them. This place is located at a distance of 10-days travel from Medina. When Hazrat Amr bin al-Aas (ra) reached the land of Banu Quda’ah, he sent a message to the Holy Prophet (sa) that the enemy were much greater in number and they were in need of reinforcements (i.e. they needed further military support).
As soon as this reached the Holy Prophet (sa), he sent 200 Muhajireen and Ansar under the command of Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah (ra) as reinforcements. The Holy Prophet (sa) instructed them to join Hazrat Amr bin al-Aas (ra) and to not differ (that is to say, whatever they decide to do, they should do it together).
When the latter army joined the battalion of Hazrat Amr bin al-Aas (ra), the question arose as to who would lead the entire army. Even though Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) was more worthy of being the commander owing to his rank; however, when Hazrat Amr bin al-Aas (ra) insisted on taking command of the entire army, he remained silent and wholeheartedly accepted his leadership. This was also because the Holy Prophet (sa) had instructed them not to have any disagreements. Thus, under his leadership, they fought the enemy valiantly until they defeated them. When they returned from their victory to Medina, the Holy Prophet (sa) learnt of the level of obedience displayed by Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah (ra) and said:
رَحِمَهُ اللّٰهُ أَبَا عُبَیْدَه
“May Allah’s mercy be upon Abu Ubaidah, for he has shown such high standards of obedience.”
(Talib Hashmi, Rahmat-e-Darain ke So Sheda‘i, [Lahore, Pakistan: al-Badr Publications Urdu Bazar, 2003] 33.) (Sharh Zurqani ala al-Mawahib al-Laduniyyah, Vol. 2, p. 357, Sariyah Dhat al-Salasil, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1996)